A Primer For Going Pro
 

By Pro, I mean MLB. Forget it, it aint' happening. Do the math. X spots with Y MiLB guys tryig to get there.

X = extremely few

Y = hundreds

Now, getting to MiLB is another thing.

X = a few spots

Y= hundreds

Things that are against you:

Age (over 25ish)
Race - the majority of umps are white.
Sex - females need not apply
Sexual persuasion - no comment, the post will be deleted.
Money - Better have some
Marriage - Nope, best not until later

Reality is a beach…with no shade.

I wonder if Ria Cortesio would agree.


Tim.

or Pam Postema. Or Art Williams. Or Charlie Williams. Or Emmitt Ashford. Or C.B. Bucknor. Or Eric Gregg. Or Chuck Merriweather. Or Kerwin Danley. Or Laz Diaz. Or Rich Garcia. Or Angel Hernandez. Or the over-30 year olds that get minor league jobs because they are good. Or all the married guys that get minor league jobs because they are good. Or. . . . . .

35 is the oldest I know of that went on to PBUC however I don't know if he got a job in MiLB.

Although umpiring is "baseball's narrowest door," I feel that it is wrong to discourage anyone from pursuing their dream by focusing on negatives such as artificial, man-made barriers such as age, sex, and race. I say "GO FOR IT" and don't look back. I listened to negative garbage, and decided against going to pro school, and have had to live with that regret. If you commit to doing the necessary things to succeed, you have a chance, no matter how slim the odds.

A few weeks in Florida in January immersed in baseball and great learning is tempting when buried in snow, chance at a pro job or not.

What's next? "You suck too much for LL ball?"

Originally Posted by fitump56

Sex - females need not apply

...Or these are females? Learn something new everyday. :eek:

Note the part you didn't quote about "Better have money"

Sigh :confused: Nowhere did I say not to goferit. I simply made a post regarding the REALITIES of making it to the pros.

Let's put this into focus. Married at the time? Children? Willing to live on less pay than will meet your annual bills? Off season, more temp jobs, no security, who knows if you are going to be back? Pro umpiring is a temp job. Now ypou got two. Or three. Or more.

If not, batchelor days, do what you want with them.

A blind pig has a chance to find an acorn too. He's damn well committed, he's a hungry pig. And he is always starving to death.

35? :eek: No kidding, that has to be the top age. Best of luck to whomever.

Anyone know of a MiLB umpire who is female?

Well, you know, we do! Because all us umpires are in it for the money, right?:rolleyes:

And for female MiLB umpires, I give you Ria Cortesio. Top ranked AA umpire according to their rankings. Worked the Futures Game and the HR Derby last year.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/n...milb&fext=.jsp
http://mlb.mlb.com/images/2007/03/29/UU3Xb3cE.jpg

I agree that very few who attempt this career make it. And, those who are thinking about attempting it should know that.

I don't think that race or sexual persuasion enter into PBUC's decision at all. Sex and age probably do a little.

Money and marriage don't affect PBUC's decision, but might affect the umpire's willingness to stick it out over the long haul.

I may be wrong, but I thought Ria moved up to AAA this season and has a solid chance at replacing Froemming next year.


Tim.

Cortesio is in AA and has no chance of replacing Froemming. She hasn't even done a fill-in replacement job in the Majors, so why would she be considered for a permanent position.